Vibert Parvattan in conversation with Santa Claus

Dec 21, 2015 Letters

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Dear Editor,
It is that wonderful time of the year – Christmas. It has become traditional for me to write to you each year with a Wish List for Guyana and its people. I was checking on last year’s wishes and I was very pleased to recognize that you granted some of those requests.  I complained last year of the very poor state and awful conditions of the city of Georgetown where garbage sites and smelly conditions were pronounced.  This has changed! Thank you Santa for granting that wish.
Santa, some long serving Guyanese have been sent on leave to facilitate forensic audits.  There are several reports of irregularities.  It is hoped that at the conclusion of these audits, there would be objective analysis without prejudice in relation to their future employment.  The decision makers will need your gift of objectivity. Santa, a recent discussion with a young, successful businessman in Guyana, he advocated that Governments of developing countries should learn from the Singapore experience.
He lamented the lack of continuity in administering the affairs of Government in Guyana. He humorously remarked that after twenty-eight (28) years of the same party being in office in Guyana, the new Government changed everything and there was a new beginning.  Now after twenty-three (23) years of that new party in Government, the party replacing them has to change everything.
He stated that there seemed to be no foundation blocks in nation building.  Santa, if there is any merit in that businessman’s observations, I ask you to give to the leaders of this nation a wonderful gift of vision, magnanimity and humility, so that they can stay focused on priorities which demand intervention, attention and resolution.
Santa, there have been changes in the names and locations of Ministries and much talk about changing the names of the streets in Georgetown, many of which carry names of historical significance.  Santa, if you plan to visit Ministries of Government you may need a guide.
Santa, I implore you to look at my past Wish Lists and give attention to some matters I have been bringing to your attention for several years.  Whatever gifts are needed to solve those problems you ought to donate.  These problems include zoning which has been ignored for many years.  The same applies to the building code in the city and the use of pavements and parapets.  It seems to be a free for all. The breakdown in discipline, no respect for established rules, and the consequences of tarnished image of my country, demand your gifts of remedial action.
Santa, I am sure that you have read recently of the retirement of the Acting Chief Justice, who was acting in that capacity for more than a decade.  This seems ridiculous and you need to give the spirit of compromise as a gift to decision makers to avoid such situations. Santa, while thankful for your many gifts, I am disappointed that over the many years you cannot give to Guyana an effective working emergency phone such as 911.
Santa, this results from a combination of several deficiencies, not all of which can be deemed technical or mechanical. Crime continues to cause fear and feelings of insecurity among many Guyanese and even those abroad who wish to come to Guyana.  Santa you must address this matter with your gifts of equipment, motor vehicles, updated crime kits and training for those crime solvers.
Causing death by dangerous driving is a regular charge brought by the Police.  Specific prevention methods are not visible and this needs a comprehensive and professional study which should be your gift to the Police Force.  It will be comforting to regularly see patrol cars.  The use of speed monitors, penalties, including suspension of driver’s licences, more traffic signs, street lighting, intensive training and higher standards of competency before the issuance of driver’s licences.
These are needed gifts to alleviate the situation. Santa, you know that cricket is an important game in the Caribbean.  In recent times the incompetence and arrogance of the Leaders of the West Indies Cricket Board are pronounced.  What gifts do you have to help the administrators, the cricketers and the Caricom Heads?
Guyanese want to be on good terms with all of the neighbouring countries including Venezuela. Give to the Leaders of Venezuela the wisdom to focus on the harsh economic problems their citizens face and the gift of understanding the importance of being on good terms with its neighbours.
The use and abuse of marijuana, cocaine, etc, are destroying many lives and families.  Santa give to the decision makers of Guyana the enlightenment, to see  traffickers as criminals, but to consider the users, as persons who are sick whose brains are affected and need treatment.  Making criminals of our young people by mandatory imprisonment for being in possession of small quantities of such substances should be changed.  They should be seen as patients and not as prisoners.  Santa, Guyana needs gifts of rehabilitation centres to help those with addictions.  We need many gifts of homes for the elderly and the homeless.
Barrels and remittances. Many Guyanese are dependent on such inflows.  Santa, please continue to inspire the senders. Santa, for years you were asked to give Guyanese a reduction of VAT…ho…ho…ho.… Guyanese still need that gift. Diplomatic postings –there have been lots of speculation on appointments.  Santa, allay the fears and insecurity of those being considered by letting them have early confirmation of the appointments as Christmas gifts.
Santa, it seems I got carried away with national affairs and overlooked your priority at Christmastime.  I refer to the children.  There are many poor families and thousands of children who are not assured of a Christmas gift. Santa, it must be your priority to ensure that every child could have a gift.  In addition they need love to bring them cheer.
Give to the young people of Guyana hope and confidence in the future.
Vibert Parvattan

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